Electronic Registry of Energy and Industry Permits (AL0032)

The Ministry of Energy and Industry, in the framework of increasing transparency andaccountability, has undertaken the Electronic Registry initiative, aiming to establish and publish in its web page an Electronic Registry of authorizations, permits and agreements given in the relevant fields and their updated status. Currently there is a lack of information not only on the procedures for obtaining an authorization or permit, but also citizens, interested groups, civil society have no information on the number of permits and authorization given in the energy and industry sector. In order to address this problem and acquire full transparency on the status of the actors operating in these field, the Ministry has initiated a process of identifying the current status, which will also allow an easier monitoring process. This registry system will help improving MEI’s transparency and accountability, but will also allow citizens to access information through the Electronic Registry.

For Commitment details, see Albania Mid-Term Report 2014-2016.

Commitment 1.2. Electronic Registry of Energy and Industry Permits

Commitment Text: Electronic Registry of authorizations, permits and agreements issued by the Ministry of Energy and Industry. The Ministry of Energy and Industry, in the framework of increasing transparency and accountability, has undertaken the Electronic Registry initiative, aiming to establish and publish in its web page an Electronic Registry of authorizations, permits and agreements given in the relevant fields and their updated status. Currently there is a lack of information not only on the procedures for obtaining an authorization or permit, but also citizens, interested groups, civil society have no information on the number of permits and authorization given in the energy and industry sector. In order to address this problem and acquire full transparency on the status of the actors operating in these field, the Ministry has initiated a process of identifying the current status, which will also allow an easier monitoring process. This registry system will help improving MEI transparency and accountability, but will also allow citizens to access information through the Electronic Registry.

Responsible institution: Ministry of Energy and Industry

Supporting institution(s): N/A

Start date: 2014 End date: 2016

Commitment Aim:

The commitment aims to establish an electronic registry for issuing authorizations, permits, and agreements in the energy and industry sector, enabling public access to information. The creation of the electronic registry follows up on Albania’s e-concession commitment under the first OGP action plan 2012–13.

While the commitment in the first action plan was about the establishment of an electronic concession procedure, the second action plan commitment focuses on transparency and public access to authorizations, permits, and agreements issued by the Ministry of Energy and Industry (MEI).

The commitment is partly in line with a civil society recommendation proposed during the action plan consultations (March 2014), which dealt with transparency for companies operating in the Albanian extractive industry.

Status

Midterm: Limited

The MEI completed the inception phase of the electronic registry project, and the ministry was working on establishing a monitoring and information system for concessions. The amendments to the Law on Concessions and Public-Private Partnerships (July 2015) required additional bylaws regulating the electronic registry. ^{IRM progress report, http://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2001/01/Albania_Second%20IRM%20Report_for%20public%20comment.pdf.}

End of term: Limited

According to the government self-assessment report (September 2016), there has been no further progress. In February 2016, the MEI updated the database of active permits in the mining industry. ^{Ministry of Energy and Industry, database on archive permits, http://www.energjia.gov.al/files/userfiles/minierat2/2016/RREGJ._LEJEVE_SHKURT_2016_Aktive.pdf.} On 3 March 2016, the Council of Ministers adopted the decision “on the establishment and administration of the Electronic Registry of Concessions and Public-Private Partnership.” However, the website of the Agency of Concessions does not contain any information on the Concessions Register. ^{Agency of Concessions, http://www.atrako.gov.al/?page_id=112.} The government’s self-assessment report stated that as of September 2016 the MEI had not completed the monitoring and information system for concessions.

Did it open government?

Access to information: Did not change

The electronic registry of concessions could contribute to enhancing transparency in the energy and industry sectors. Energy, especially hydropower generation, and the exploration of mineral resources like copper constitute a significant and growing sector of the Albanian economy. The potential impact of the registry largely depends on the types of information and datasets it provides for public access. Since the registry was not established and put online during the action plan period, this commitment did not improve access to information.

Carried forward?

This commitment is included in the new action plan 2016–2018. Specifically,, commitment 1.8 on open standards for contracting refers to the electronic registry. To implement this commitment successfully, the action plan relies on cooperation with civil society and other relevant agencies. The new commitment partially reflects the 2015 IRM midterm report’s recommendations, especially those related to cooperation with experienced CSOs and the need for coordination with other state institutions. However, the commitment’s language remains vague, particularly in terms of specific activities and a specific timeline.